Murray Forms His Own Management Company

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 11th September 2013

Murray Forms His Own Management Company

epa03849909 Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts after defeating Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan during their match on the ninth day of the 2013 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 03 September 2013. The US Open runs through Monday 09 September, a 15-day schedule for the first time. EPA/JASON DECROW |

The number 77 will forever be linked to Andy Murray after he ended the number of years without a British-born Wimbledon champion a couple of months ago. And now the Scot has used it as the name for his new management company.

Seeking to dispel last week’s disappointment of his US Open title defence ending at the quarterfinal stage against Stanislas Wawrinka, Murray and his manager of the past five years, Simon Fuller, have teamed up to launch 77, the London-based company that will look after the Scot and his brother, doubles specialist Jamie.

Other major management concerns such as IMG and Lagardere Unlimited have long sought to add Murray to their tennis portfolio but the 27 year-old has been happy working under the overall guidance of Spice Girls and American Idol guru Fuller with first 19 and then XIX Entertainment.

Fuller will be a business partner of Murray at the new enterprise, becoming chairman, with Murray’s long-time PR and media man Matt Gentry named as managing director.

Mahesh Bhupathi, the Indian doubles player who has forged a separate career in tennis business, will continue to work with Murray in new business and sales. Ugo Colombini, independent agent of Juan Martin del Potro who was co-opted onto the Murray team in April, will also be part of the new project.

Various other long-standing business relationships and endorsement deals, such as deals with adidas, Head rackets and Rado watches will run unaffected. However Murray said: “The new company will allow me more freedom and the chance to become more involved in my business affairs.

“I’ve got a great team of people around me who I trust, both on and off the court, which in turn allows me to completely focus on my tennis. I look forward to working with the team on the next stage of my career.”

Murray is currently with the British Davis Cup squad in Umag, Croatia. He is set to make his first appearance in the competition for two years as Britain bid to return to the World Group for the first time since 2008.

Topics: 10sballs, Andy Murray, Davis Cup, Jamie Murray, Sports, Stanislas Wawrinka, Tennis, US Open, Wimbledon